I finally made up my mind today to buy a nook as my first e-reader. The store locator on bn.com said that most of the local stores (of which there are three within 5 miles of my house) had them in stock so I decided to go pick one up rather than order online.

The first store I went to didn't have any. They offered to order one, but I opted to go to another store instead. I got there and, not really knowing where they had them, went to Customer Service. The rep seemed to think they maybe had a few in stock and told me to go to the cash registers. The guy at the register was like "yea, we have some" when I asked. I had to then say "I would like to buy one, please" to prompt him to actually go retrieve one from the back.

In my opinion, they are not making it easy to actually buy one in person. Everyone I spoke to at both stores seemed to be a little surprised by my interest. I guess I kind of expected that when I asked at Customer Service, that the rep would actually make the transaction happen, and not just point me in the direction of the register.

I didn't receive any unpacking instructions, just the shrink-wrapped package itself. Luckily, I managed to unpack it without breaking anything.

I bought one yesterday in a store. The store locator only showed one store in my area, and luckily it seemed to be the closest one to me. This particular store was one that had the large in-store display with cases as well.

I went to customer service and they were very helpful and eager to sell me one. I am sorry that your experience wasn't as positive, but I found the store in my area to be most helpful.

Congratulations. Hmmm, I thought they were making a big deal about having displays in the stores. I've not seen them at my local store either. It would be nice to be able to actually see it work before you bought it.

Congratulations. Hmmm, I thought they were making a big deal about having displays in the stores. I've not seen them at my local store either. It would be nice to be able to actually see it work before you bought it.

Actually, both stores had the demo model on the counter at Customer Service. Thus, I thought that's where I needed to go to buy one

Question. They had the model there. Did they demo it for you and walk you thru start up, perhaps?

At the first store, I played with it for 5 minutes or so on my own with no interaction from the staff. At the second store (where I purchased) they asked if I wanted to try out the demo model, but I said no.

I just got mine about an hour ago! I'm bummed (as always when I get a gadget) that I have to charge 3 1/2 hours first...question, the "welcome" sheet says to fully charge it before use, then immediately says You can use it while it's charging. Any thoughts on whether it's best to not touch it while it charging for the 1st time? I'm dying to turn it on and play around with it, but don't want to start off on the wrong foot with the battery!

Cabingirl,
Like you, I just picked up my nook in store today. I had an experience somewhat like yours.
I called first, and spoke to someone that told me they just got ten nooks in. I went to the store an hour later, and first there was no one around to help me at cust svc desk. When someone did show up, they said I could play with the demo all I wanted, but would have to order the nook online (this was her 1st day back to work after a long break, so she hadn't heard of the recent arrivals).
She found me a nook, took it to the front, and I bought it. While I didn't expect any unpacking instructions, I am used to looking at the packaging before I buy electronics, and had to ask if I could see it first. Surprisingly, there is really no info on the outside of the nook packaging.
But, I don't think any of this detracts from the quality of the item.

Same story here. Went to the first store, they had none. Website said they did. Went to 2nd store (web site said this one had no stock) and they had them. I went to Cust Service 1st and the lady said they were behind the registers. I went to the registers and they had about 20 on the bookshelf behind. I asked about covers/etc, and was told they had none. I bought the nook and took it home. No instructions on how to open the box. Took a while, but I got it. Plugged it in, and when it said I could use it while charging, that is exactly what I did. No problems so far, I am loving it.

I finally made up my mind today to buy a nook as my first e-reader. The store locator on bn.com said that most of the local stores (of which there are three within 5 miles of my house) had them in stock so I decided to go pick one up rather than order online.

When I ordered my Nook Online about 10 days ago I received an email from B&N that said my Nook would shipped out on the 12th and I should receive it about 2 days after that. So I didn't expect to receive my Nook for about 2 weeks. The day after I ordered I received a 2nd email informing me that my Nook was shipped that day. I received it the following day, 2 days after ordering. What a surprise that was. The nearest B&N to me is about 45 miles. That's 90 miles round-trip. I only get about 19 MPG so it wasn't worth the time and expense to pick one up at B&N. Good luck with your Nook. I love mine.

I just got mine about an hour ago! I'm bummed (as always when I get a gadget) that I have to charge 3 1/2 hours first...question, the "welcome" sheet says to fully charge it before use, then immediately says You can use it while it's charging. Any thoughts on whether it's best to not touch it while it charging for the 1st time? I'm dying to turn it on and play around with it, but don't want to start off on the wrong foot with the battery!

You don't have to wait, if it's plugged into the computer USB port, you have to eject the nook in order to use it (from within My Computer, right click on the nook icon and choose eject), but if it's plugged into the wall outlet, you're good to go!

You don't have to wait, if it's plugged into the computer USB port, you have to eject the nook in order to use it (from within My Computer, right click on the nook icon and choose eject), but if it's plugged into the wall outlet, you're good to go!

Thanks Paul! I did wait for a first full charge (only took 2 hours and the yellow light went out), so I was up and running! I like my nook so far, but I have to get used to the touch screen (I'm spoiled by all the hardware buttons on my Sony 505!). I am surprised by how tricky it is to swipe-turn a page on the bottom display, but I'm getting the hang of it.

Now I just need to figure out how to "register" the nook on my sony e-book store, so I can read the books I purchased there on the nook...

Thanks Paul! I did wait for a first full charge (only took 2 hours and the yellow light went out), so I was up and running! I like my nook so far, but I have to get used to the touch screen (I'm spoiled by all the hardware buttons on my Sony 505!). I am surprised by how tricky it is to swipe-turn a page on the bottom display, but I'm getting the hang of it.

Now I just need to figure out how to "register" the nook on my sony e-book store, so I can read the books I purchased there on the nook...

NOTE: I have not done this, but...
My understanding is that you should be able to bring up adobe DE with the nook connected and register it.